Category Justice Show all
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April 29 2025: Anti-Islamophobia 101 Virtual Workshop
Free Anti-Islamophobia 101 Virtual Workshop
Tuesday, April 29, 12:00-1:30PM
Space is limited. Learn more and register on EventBrite.
Join CK Local Immigration Partnership and Living Chatham-Kent for the Anti-Islamophobia 101 Virtual Workshop from the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW).This workshop seeks to address the realities of Islamophobia and the way it operates within Canadian society. The workshop will help participants critically examine the impacts of Islamophobia on the lives of Muslim people living in Canada and how it further marginalizes Black and Indigenous Muslims, queer Muslims, and Muslims with disabilities. Participants will learn how to be active allies to counter Islamophobia.By the end of the workshop, participants will gain:• A deeper understanding of Islamophobia and its systemic effects.• Insights into gendered Islamophobia and its impact on Muslim women.• Awareness of intersectional identities within the Muslim community.• Tools and strategies for collective action against racism and IslamophobiaPlease Note: Discussions about harassment and/or discrimination can bring up strong feelings. We encourage participants to actively contribute to a brave space by being respectful, attentive, and open minded during these discussions. And, to actively engage in self-care or to seek support as needed during and after the workshop. If you require support, the Chatham-Kent Victim’s Services, Ontario Human Rights Commission, Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton-Kent can be of assistance.
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New Resource: The Cost of Eating in CK 2023 Infographic
March is Nutrition Month and we can't talk about that without also talking about Food Insecurity.
1 in 5 households in Chatham-Kent do not have enough money to buy food. That's 20% of the community who must decide between paying their bills or buying food.
The 2023 Cost of Eating Infographic shows the monthly cost of eating in CK and the numbers show that current social assistance programs are not enough.
View the entire infographic at: www.ckpublichealth.com/foodinsecurity
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Black History Month 2024 in Chatham-Kent
February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to honouring and celebrating the accomplishments of Canadians of African descent.
This month and all year long, we encourage you to learn about Black communities and community members who have helped shape what Chatham-Kent is today.
See below for some of the events taking place across Chatham-Kent throughout the month. Feel free to share with colleagues and community.
We would like to thank the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, and our colleagues across the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for their partnerships and continued work to preserve and share our local and national history.
Why do we Honour Black History Month?
Black History has largely been excluded from mainstream recounting of Canadian history. That means the contributions of Black community members have often been excluded, even though they are important parts of our shared history. For example, many people don't know that soldiers of African descent made sacrifices in wartimes and actually had to advocate to be able to fight for their Country. Or, that African people were enslaved in Canada, in addition to the United States of America. Because of this exclusion of Black stories and contributions, having a dedicated month helps ensure that these stories are told. And, it helps to highlight the continued struggles for liberation, equity, and justice.
How was Black History Month Established?
In Canada, Black History Month was first proclaimed in 1978 by the City of Toronto as a result of advocacy by the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks.
In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.
In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.
What is Happening to Honour Black History Month in Chatham-Kent?
Thursday, February 1, 12:00PM
Black History Month Flag Raising, 315 King St W, Chatham (Civic Centre)
Bundle up and show your support for the kick-off of Black History Month in Chatham-Kent!
Join the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, and the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History to honour the start of Black History Month and learn about what is happening in Chatham-Kent throughout the month.
Thursday, February 8, 10:00AM – 11:00AM
Buxton Museum Storytime, Chatham-Kent Public Library, Chatham Branch
Join us for a special story time celebrating Black History Month with special guests from the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. Best suited for children 5 and younger. Drop-in.
Saturday, February 10, 6:00PM – 1:00AM (cost to attend)
Chatham-Kent Black Excellence Awards, Retro Suites Hotel
This inaugural event to recognize the outstanding accomplishment of local Black community members and celebrate Black cultures, and community advocates. Attendees from all cultures are welcome.
Learn more and purchase tickets through EventBrite.
Thursday, February 22, 6:30PM – 7:15PM
Twilight Tails, Chatham-Kent Public Library, Dresden Branch
February is Black History Month, and we have all kinds of treasures to help celebrate. Play the jumbo Match-Up of famous athletes, entertainers, and inventors. Registration is not necessary.
Tuesday, February 27, 6:00PM
Trivia Night, Red Barn Brewing Co.
Join Red Barn Brewing and Buxton's Next Generation (BNG) for a fun night of trivia, including Black History Month questions. A portion of proceeds go to BNG.
Buy tickets from Red Barn Brewing company.
Wednesday, February 28, 2:00PM and 7:00PM
Screening of The Color Purple, Chatham Capitol Theatre
A story of love and resilience bast on the novel and Broadway musical. Rated PG-13. Admission $7 at the door. No registration required.
All Month-Long
Black History Month Quiz
Test your knowledge about Black History in Chatham-Kent and enter to win tickets to a screening of The Color Purple on February 28th!
Take the quiz here: https://take.quiz-maker.com/QEKTHXGBV
Thanks to our friends at Buxton National History Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, Buxton's Next Generation, Chatham Capitol Theatre, and Living CK for this partnership!Buxton National Historic Site & Museum
Visit Ontario’s second largest national historic site, a tribute to the Elgin settlement virtually or in-person.
Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum
Learn about the Black community that settles along McGregor’s Creek in Chatham at the end of the 18th century to present day. Self-guided tours available.
Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
Site of the Dawn Settlement, built by Rev. Josiah Henson in 1841. In-person tours available for groups of 15 or more. Virtual tours also available.
Chatham-Kent Municipal Museums
Let Us March on till Victory is Won: The Struggle for Racial Equity in CK and Ontario
The exhibit traces the National Unity Association’s crusade for justice and determination to end practices of segregation in Chatham-Kent and Ontario. Visit the virtual exhibit or book the travelling exhibit to see it in-person.
Chatham-Kent Public Library
Read Black Voices, All Branches
Celebrate the diversity of Black experiences by reading books by Black authors and illustrators. Participants will earn a ballot when they borrow a book with the Black Voices bookmarks for a chance to win a prize pack.
Black History Month Quizzes, Tilbury Branch
Drop-in to the Tilbury Branch each week in February for a new quiz about notable Black figures and historic events.
Living CK
Stay tuned to the Living CK Facebook or Instagram channels for information about Black History Month in Chatham-Kent.
Thames Art Gallery
Visit their Facebook and Instagram pages to learn about Black artists with local ties throughout the month.
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Feb 1: Black History Month Flag Raising
Thursday, February 1st, 12:00 - 12:30, 315 King Street West, Chatham (Chatham Civic Centre)
Join the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, and the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum to honour the start of Black History Month and learn about what is happening in Chatham-Kent throughout the month.
Stay tuned to the DEIJ website for details about events happening throughout February to honour Black History Month.
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Event: October 12 Twin Flames Performance
Indie-rock, synth-rock and folk-pop are just a few of the ways Twin Flames’ music has been described – their unique sound, which blends Indigenous Spirit flutes, traditional drums and western instruments, defies classification.The husband and wife duo - Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree heritage) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik and Kahnawake – has garnered more than 40 awards and nominations, include the Canadian Folk Music Award in 2022 for Vocal Group of the Year. Their stories and songs, which they perform in a mix of English, French, and Inuktitut, honour their ancestors and relay stories from coast to coast, and have placed them at the forefront of the Indigenous Music renaissance.
Tickets: $20-$35 + Handling Fees
Learn more and buy tickets at CKTickets.com
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Event: August 31 International Overdose Awareness Day
Chatham-Kent Drug Overdose Awareness Council invites you to join us at ROCK Missions locations for International Overdose Awareness Day.
Learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day on the official website or learn from the post we created on the Employee DEIJ Portal last year (note the events will have changed for this year).
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Resource: Free Online English Classes for People who are Migrant Workers
Collège Boréal is providing free, online English classes with a live instructor for people who are Migrant Workers in Chatham-Kent. Reach out to Azuani Cano, 519-384-9393, acano@dol.ca or Jiohanka Perez, 519-397-1677, jiohanka.perez@collegeboreal.ca for more information and to register.
Don't forget to subscribe to the CK Local Immigration Partnership newsletter for more updates like these!
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Event: July 29 2023 Emancipation Day Event
Join the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History and Ontario Heritage Trust for Emancipation Day — an annual celebration of hope and freedom commemorating the end of slavery in the British Empire — at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.
Everyone is welcome for this free, fun and educational day featuring music, speakers and presenters, children's crafts and book signings that recognizes and promotes the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society, while emphasizing that peoples of African descent have played a fundamental role in the development of the Canadian identity and heritage. The day also serves to advance the dialogue in support of the full and equal participation of Black individuals and Black communities.
Seating is available or bring your own lawn chair.
Southern barbecue lunch available for purchase from the Chilled Cork Food Truck.
Speakers and performers
London Collective Gospel Choir
- Enjoy uplifting musical selections that emphasize hope and unity through faith by the London Collective Gospel Choir.
Kwame Delfish
- Hear from artist Kwame Delfish, the first Caribbean Canadian to design a coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. Delfish will speak about the creative process behind his design for the coin commemorating the No. 2 Construction Battalion — the largest all-Black battalion-sized unit in Canadian military history.
Motown Boys
- Dance to the tunes of Diana Ross, The Temptations and top-40 Motown hits with live renditions by the musical group Motown Boys, featuring George St. Kitts, Toni Anderson and Kenni Hite.
Ruth Lor Malloy
- Learn from Ruth Lor Malloy, a travel writer and activist. In the 1950s, she worked with the Toronto Joint Labour Committee for Human Rights to fight discrimination in Dresden. Malloy will talk about her book — Brightening My Corner: A Memoir of Dreams Fulfilled — and will host a book signing.
Chef Patience Chirisa
- Fire up all your senses with Chef Patience Chirisa, a culinary expert in African cuisine. Chef Chirisa will provide a delectable selection of finger foods for guests to sample, host a book reading and signing, and deliver a fun arts-and-crafts activity for children.
Duane Gibson
- Hear from D.O. Gibson, a two-time Guinness World Records-setting rapper, author and professional speaker. Gibson will be speaking on how Josiah Henson is a central part of his many performances, as it allows him to speak about slavery, the Underground Railroad, spirituals and about his dad’s portrayal of Josiah Henson in the Josiah Henson Museum’s interpretive video onsite.
About the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. This two-hectare (five-acre) complex celebrates the life and work of Reverend Josiah Henson and explores the history of the Underground Railroad in Ontario. The museum provides a space to discuss the legacy of slavery and racism and the enduring pursuit for social justice. Learn more …
Location:
Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
29251 Freedom Road (formerly Uncle Tom's Road)
Dresden, OntarioMap
Learn more about Emancipation Day from the Government of Canada.
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Event: Buxton 100th Homecoming Labour Day Weekend
The Buxton 100th Homecoming is happening on Labour Day weekend, September 1-4!
Explore the historic town, party, play, and learn. Experience the rich heritage, vibrant events, and educational opportunities.
Celebrate, connect, and honor the communities in the area.
Everyone welcome.
See the full schedule through Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.